Integrated health system plays a very important part in delivering top notch patient care, and sustaining healthcare system. There are numerous systems and solutions available in the market today to assist with healthcare integration. Most healthcare organizations have some type of solution in place to manage integration, though there are many health organizations that still have point to point interfaces in place.
Strategy Recognition
Even if a health system has some integration product in place does not always mean that the integration solution is providing the most meaningful and efficient information flow to improve patient care.
Mission of health systems in some form or the other is to deliver exceptional patient care and improve overall health of the population. Health systems focused on this end result of providing exceptional patient care should focus on improving organization’s communication and integration efficiency as integration brings together all systems within the health system and external partners.
Focusing on improving organization’s information flow requires recognition and commitment to developing an integration strategy.
Organizations that overlook need to develop and execute an integration strategy might lose on patient care, workflow, employee efficiency, and revenue.
What is successful integration?
Do we consider a connection and exchange of data between two systems successful integration? Maybe, if all you are focused on is the short term goal of exchange of data between the two systems.
But if you want assurance that your integration is successful and will meet your organizations’ short-term and long-term goals, then your integration should adhere to carefully planned integration strategy.
What is Integration Strategy?
Sorry to disappoint but there is no one-size-fits-all model for integration strategy and successful integration. Integration strategy follows basic principles for healthcare integration such as:
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Focus on patient’s needs, engagement, and participation
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Continued patient care across all points of access
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Commitment to quality of services and continuous care improvement
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Use of latest technologies for efficient communication-information flow and protect personal health information
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Treatment and care interventions linked to clinical outcomes
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Engage providers with integration of provider ambulatory clinics
Integration strategy is customized for each organization. Strategy includes assessment of current environment, performing a gap analysis of technology, resources, and processes. Integration strategy should clearly define strategic initiatives needed for the organization and a roadmap to achieve these initiatives.
Don’t lose on this opportunity
As per Gartner’s latest forecast, IT spending is going to reach $3.85 trillion in 2019, and communications counts for biggest IT spending. Investing in integration solutions and resources will continue to increase however organizations with a clear integration strategy will maximize potential of their investments in integration solutions and resources for successful continuum of care across all points of access and increase in patient satisfaction.